Revamped NCL Casinos at Sea program benefits

[JGmf]

I didn't see it posted yet, so sharing the mailer information for the "All-New Rewards Program" I received today.

 

NEW TIER BENEFITS

 

 

HERE ARE THE PREVIOUS BENEFITS

 

 

 

I could be wrong, but comparing it to the old benefits, the big change is the loss of complimentary drinks and they eliminated onboard credit for Pearl level.  I don't have any other details, but a cursory review looks like changes to the detriment of players...of course.

 

 

 

[Sand and Seas]

Hmmm....maybe 'water package' is replacing free drinks in casino?  Probably a limited number of water cartons based on your tier?   I don't like it.   We usually bypass the FAS drink package and get by with the drinks from the casino.    

 

It looks like it might be adding internet package to Sapphire.  As Ruby, we have always gotten 400 minutes of WiFi.    

[Sand and Seas]

@UKstages,  it looks like you were correct in your thread under Casino Conversations.

Program changes, but we still will need to see some T&Cs about what each level will receive.

[Russiamomm]

Thanks for posting this.  Any idea when this goes into effect?  I just made Pearl for the first time on our December cruise.  I’ll be on the Joy next month and was counting on the $100 OBC.  Won’t be happy if I don’t get it.  Also not happy about the elimination of drinks in the casino.  While I always get a drink package,I like being able to pick up bottles of water for excursions and the occasional espresso or cappuccino at the casino bar. 

[Sand and Seas]

20 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

 

 

HERE ARE THE PREVIOUS BENEFITS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding the prior program's descriptions below (before they disappear off website):

 

1Discount only applicable on stateroom categories up to Mini Suite(MB). Excludes POA.
2Free Play awarded to qualifying member if sailing in their birthday month.
3Cruise Limits apply.
4Discount amount varies. Only applicable up to stateroom Category A (OCI) and suite Category A (RSSC).
5Limits apply at the discretion of casino management.
6Onboard Credit is non-refundable.
7Ruby Package: 400 minutes OR 1250mb. Elite Package: Unlimited up to 12 days.
8One (1) complimentary shore excursion, up to a $300/pp value for 1st and 2nd guest.
9Service charges waived for 1st and 2nd guest on sailings up to 12 days.
10Private transfers applicable to/from ship or home – hotel – airport only. 25 mile limit each way. 

 

[Sand and Seas]

3 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

Thanks for posting this.  Any idea when this goes into effect?  I just made Pearl for the first time on our December cruise.  I’ll be on the Joy next month and was counting on the $100 OBC.  Won’t be happy if I don’t get it.  Also not happy about the elimination of drinks in the casino.  While I always get a drink package,I like being able to pick up bottles of water for excursions and the occasional espresso or cappuccino at the casino bar. 

It most likely goes into effect for cruises that start on April 1st or after.  

 

I agree-  not happy if they are eliminating the drinks in the casino😒

[JGmf]

8 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

Thanks for posting this.  Any idea when this goes into effect?  I just made Pearl for the first time on our December cruise.  I’ll be on the Joy next month and was counting on the $100 OBC.  Won’t be happy if I don’t get it.

 

As @Sand and Seas mentioned, we understand it is effective April 1, 2024.

 

Like you @Russiamomm, I hit another level recently (Sapphire) and am wondering about my hoped-for OBC.

[Russiamomm]

4 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

It most likely goes into effect for cruises that start on April 1st or after.  

 

I agree-  not happy if they are eliminating the drinks in the casino😒

 

1 minute ago, JGmf said:

 

As @Sand and Seas mentioned, we understand it is effective April 1, 2024.

 

Like you @Russiamomm, I hit another level recently (Sapphire) and am wondering about my hoped-for OBC.

Not at all happy.  I sail on April 14.

[floridafish]

I mainly play craps and I've never received one offer from NCL. 

[Sand and Seas]

8 minutes ago, floridafish said:

I mainly play craps and I've never received one offer from NCL. 

I do not receive mail offers from CAS, but I do receive good offers when I call them.  You might get a percent off, or you might get a comped cabin (paying admin & port fees.)

 

I don't know how much you play, or if the tables tracked your play,  but it never hurts to call and ask:

 

For casino information and reservations,
contact a Casinos At Sea Cruise Specialists

9:00AM to 7:00PM EST
Monday to Friday
1-877-PLAY NCL
(1-877-752-9625)

[dbrown84]

wow, it certainly looks like the drinks have been eliminated.  I hope it's not for the land based casino comps also.  I also decline the FAS drinks and just do the casino drinks and really enjoyed the included water and sodas

[tgloersen]

49 minutes ago, floridafish said:

I mainly play craps and I've never received one offer from NCL. 

Exactly!

[Sand and Seas]

30 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

wow, it certainly looks like the drinks have been eliminated.  I hope it's not for the land based casino comps also.  I also decline the FAS drinks and just do the casino drinks and really enjoyed the included water and sodas

It does say 'Water package' for Pearl class & higher.   However, that would not cover the land based comp cabins unless the cruiser had qualified with 4000 or more points in the prior April 1st to March 31st earning period.   Doesn't seem like a nice 'welcome' to new NCL cruisers who booked through CAS.

 

[tokidoki]

Wonder if it affects those of us that book thru the casino using the Caesars credit card?  I maintain Platinum status with Caesars so I get a discount rate plus the drinks in the casino bar.  Perks aren’t based on points from playing.

[yakcruiser]

I don't gamble but it seems like it would be counterproductive to eliminate free drinks for casino players.

[Beach Life 1]

The comps through NCL CAS have really been dwindling these past few years,   So, instead of making it better, it seems like they are taking things away.  And they proudly send out a mailer?? 

[UKstages]

 

free drinks are table stakes for casinos, pun intended.

 

that is to say, they are an entry level expectation for any casino worldwide, except where prohibited by law. (and in those cases, the drinks are deeply discounted or they have a rebate scheme for preferred players.) it seems a bit churlish, not to mention pennywise and pound foolish, to not offer free drinks to players, regardless of their casino status. is this intended to drive some players to purchase a drink package when they hadn't previously?

 

perhaps. but you have to remember. that the free drink benefit is only valid during casino opening hours. so, on a port-intensive itinerary, you're only getting free drinks at sea (except in bermuda). and only at night, and during the day, only on sea days. so many casino players do in fact buy a drink package. in that case, they are using the casino benefit only for water and energy drinks. are they somehow (to NCL's way of thinking) abusing that privilege?

 

perhaps. but how much is that really costing, especially when weighed against a 92% or 93% casino hold?

 

this is just silly.

 

also, it is rare for loyalty programs to announce major changes with just a month's notice (or less). typically, airlines, hotels, casinos and other hospitality providers announce program changes for the following year... so you know the perks of whatever status you have earned in advance. 

 

and the announcement, such as it is, raises more questions than it answers. some of those questions have been raised above by others.

 

as for new benefits... other than the water package, which, i assume, is something delivered to your room, there is only one new benefit that has been added... and that is a behind the scenes tour for ruby and elite players.

 

if they really wanted to improve the CAS program, they should eliminate the onerous admin fee, which places them at a competitive disadvantage with almost every other cruise line, almost all of which offer status matches.

 

i posted a list of recommended CAS changes/benefits in another thread in the casino forum. you can find those suggestions in post #3 of this thread...

 

Edited March 19 by UKstages

[BamaCruiser39]

CAS was already rock bottom of all cruise lines in terms of comps and benefits.

 

Looks like they decided to whip out their shovels to try to dig even lower if they actually get rid of comped drinks in the casino as a benefit.

[Red-Sol]

I must admit that if CAS eliminates comped drinks in the Casino then that is a game changer for us. We aren't very big drinkers anyways and never take the Free at Sea drinks package. Actually there have been cruises where we don't even get a drink in the Casino either. However with all the money we donate there having a comped occasional drink in the Casino shouldn't be too much to ask.

So my question for others is how do you do match your current NCL CAS status with other cruise lines and their casino programs? Is that even possible? 

Edited March 19 by Red-Sol

[dbrown84]

1 hour ago, Red-Sol said:

I must admit that if CAS eliminates comped drinks in the Casino then that is a game changer for us. We aren't very big drinkers anyways and never take the Free at Sea drinks package. Actually there have been cruises where we don't even get a drink in the Casino either. However with all the money we donate there having a comped occasional drink in the Casino shouldn't be too much to ask.

So my question for others is how do you do match your current NCL CAS status with other cruise lines and their casino programs? Is that even possible? 

I am trying out MSC this summer because not only do they not have a admin fee, they also aren't charging for port fees and taxes for their casino comps.  They have a form on their website to do a status match.  Carnival also matches

[Belletora]

I just began cruising this year. My first cruise was supposed to be on NCL but life intervened. I ended up on Carnival and found their casino program and have booked 5 casino offers, all free cabins from interior to suites, free drinks all over, free play, and more... for myself and a companion 6-9 days each. Out of pocket, I spend maybe $600 with taxes, port fees, and prepaid gratuities. When put side by side with CAS there is no real comparison. I was on the Prima earlier this month and dropped more than intended in the casino, more than I had on Carnival even. My NCL offer was a free interior with FAS. Okay, not bad. But try adding a second person to the trip (which is free with Carnival) and it's just not worth it. Just for me, it is nearly $700. If I add another person, it is $1,400+. Now don't get me wrong, I love NCL, especially as a solo cruiser. However, their casino program lacks the perks to make it worth booking. Now I know many hate Carnival, but I find things I like on both lines, which means, without the abysmal casino offers it would be a difficult decision on which line to use more often. As it stands, I guess I go where my money gets me more.

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said:

I am trying out MSC this summer because not only do they not have a admin fee, they also aren't charging for port fees and taxes for their casino comps.  They have a form on their website to do a status match.  Carnival also matches

MSC comps totally on points. No other benefits other than casino drinks.  You are required to make a “deposit” which turns into a no refundable OBC (I.e., you are forced to use money on the ship). 

[BirdTravels]

23 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

Hmmm....maybe 'water package' is replacing free drinks in casino?  Probably a limited number of water cartons based on your tier?   I don't like it.   We usually bypass the FAS drink package and get by with the drinks from the casino.    

 

It looks like it might be adding internet package to Sapphire.  As Ruby, we have always gotten 400 minutes of WiFi.    

We will be on the Encore on April 1. I’ll stop by the casino host desk and see what they have been told about the implementation. 

[dbrown84]

56 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

MSC comps totally on points. No other benefits other than casino drinks.  You are required to make a “deposit” which turns into a no refundable OBC (I.e., you are forced to use money on the ship). 

I don't know what this is a picture of, but it's just one way to get a MSC comp, not the only way.  This is not what I have.  And you're not forced to use money on the ship if you really don't want to.  You can use the OBC

[goldmom]

Just booked a cruise through CAS today.  My agent said that if you book through CAS you still get the free drinks in the Casino.  We'll see if she's right.